OHIO811 Now Includes Oil and Gas Producers

In September, the Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS), in collaboration with the Ohio Oil and Gas Association (OOGA) and the Ohio Gas Producers Underground Protection Service (OGPUPS) announced the consolidation of Ohio’s two utility protection services under the unified OHIO811 trademark.

The consolidation means that “Call Before You Dig” just became easier for Ohio’s excavators and homeowners, increasing public safety and the protection of the state’s critical underground utilities infrastructure.

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Ohio’s Revised Code requires that All excavation contractors, property owners, or utility operators planning an excavation project must notify local utilities a minimum of 48 hours, but no more than 10 working days, prior to beginning any excavation. Now, a single call to 8-1-1 or a visit to OHIO811.org will insure that affected member utilities as well as those owning, operating and maintaining oil and gas production facilities are properly notified of planned excavations.

A vital resource for Ohio residents and businesses, OHIO811 serves as a communication link between those who have a need to excavate and those who own, operate and/or maintain buried utility facilities within the state of Ohio. OHIO811 promotes “Call Before You Dig” compliance through marketing and educational efforts, including a team of liaisons who are available to conduct safety presentations throughout the state.

“For nearly 30 years OGPUPS has been enabling oil and gas producers to protect their underground systems in conjunction with OUPS,” said Matt Hammond, executive vice president of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association. “After much consideration we decided that it was in the best interest of all parties to consolidate and streamline the programs within a unified center managed by OUPS.”